Free treatment for acid attack victims in private hospitals, announces Delhi govt

“Acid attack victims have to undergo recurring medical treatment. The Supreme Court had directed that hospitals should provide this treatment for free. While the direction was given, it had not been implemented,” the DCW chairperson said.

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Maliwal also said 35 victims in Delhi have received compensation from the Delhi Legal Services Authority but there could be more.

“She drew the attention of the ministers to the apex court’s April judgment, in which it had directed private hospitals to bear the entire cost of medical treatment of acid attack victims — including costly plastic and corrective surgeries,” a government official said.

The SC had also directed private hospitals to provide free medicine, food and other facilities to such victims. Officials said the government also has quotas in private hospitals where the victims can be treated free of cost.

Jain asked the DCW to appoint a committee to coordinate with the health ministry for effective implementation of the SC’s directions. Dr R N Das, officer on special duty to the Jain, has been nominated as the nodal officer for the treatment of acid attack victims.

“So far we have made a commitment only for victims in Delhi and not those living outside Delhi,” said Jain.

Apart from medical treatment and need for jobs, Maliwal said the victims were also aggrieved that their cases were pending in court and the offenders had not been brought to book.

“The Delhi government also accepted the DCW’s demand to appoint senior prosecutors for pursuing cases of acid attack victims pending in various courts. The home department will follow-up on the matter,” said a government official.

Officials said the DCW will profile each of the 35 acid attack victims and seek government jobs for them depending on their interests, skills and qualifications. “We will prepare a database of all their details. The chief minister had already assured that they will be given government jobs,” said Maliwal.

In the meeting, the government also decided that the Delhi State Aids Control Society (DSACS) will be instructed to provide adequate condoms to the sex workers in G B Road Area of the capital.